Dispenser for distributing individual portions of tablets

ABSTRACT

Dispenser for individually apportioned delivery of tablets ( 3 ) has a cylindrical housing ( 1 ), and a slide ( 2 ) which is displaceable for limited travel. The dispenser includes a tablet-storage space (V) with a connecting delivery passage ( 7 ) corresponding to the tablet thickness, for which passage end-side closing-off surfaces and profiled flanks are formed, in part, on the housing and integrally formed, in part, on the slide ( 2 ). The delivery passage ( 7 ) is defined by a spacing (y) between an inner wall surface ( 20 ′) of a cylinder-housing wall ( 20 ) and a cylindrically concentrically curved wall ( 25 ) of the slide ( 2 ).

The invention relates to a dispenser for individually apportioneddelivery of tablets, having a cylindrical housing, a slide, which isdisplaceable for limited travel, and a tablet-storage space with aconnecting delivery passage corresponding to the tablet thickness, forwhich passage end-side closing-off surfaces and profiled flanks areformed, in part, on the housing and integrally formed, in part, on theslide.

Austrian Patent Specification 347595 discloses a dispenser forindividually apportioned delivery of tablets in which a rotary slidemounted in the cylindrical housing forms, at the periphery, amultiplicity of delivery passages which, at the same time, form aseparating chamber. The tablets, which rest on a cone, progressivelyslide into the delivery passages from a common tablet-storage space. Theouter wall of the delivery passage is formed by the cup-like housing.Under rotation, and with latching provided by means of a catch, adelivery passage passes, step by step, in front of a lateral outletopening of the cylindrical housing. Here, the tablet passes outward viaa downwardly sloping ramp.

European Patent Specification 0345413 discloses a dispenser of thegeneric type with a separating chamber. The individually apportioneddelivery of the tablets here, rather than taking place visibly from theside, takes place from an underside covering of the base dispenser.

It is an object of the invention to form a dispenser of the generic typein a functionally advantageous manner, with effective pre-ordering ofthe tablets.

This object is achieved first and foremost in the case of a dispenserhaving the features of claim 1, this being based on the fact that thedelivery passage is defined by a spacing between the inner surface ofthe cylinder-housing wall and the cylindrically concentrically curvedwall of the slide. Such a configuration achieves a dispenser of thegeneric type with increased use value. This results from surprisinglyeffective pre-ordering of the tablets, even layerwise. The tabletslocated nearest to the delivery passage exhibit clearly the tendency toengage closely against the cylindrical inner surface of the cylinderhousing wall. This is because the tablets, influenced by the pressure ofthe rest of the store of tablets, position themselves, namely with theirbroad surfaces against the said inner surface. As a result of thisadjustment, moreover also taking place in the projection of the extentof the delivery passage, incorrect indexation in the dispenser mechanismhardly arises.

The subject matters of the rest of the claims are explained hereinbelowin relation to the subject matter of claim 1, but may also be importantin their own right. It is thus further provided that the slide isconfigured cylindrically concentrically over its entire length, and thedelivery passage is formed to follow a cylindrically curved transversewindow. On the one hand, this results in good guidance and, on the otherhand, the operation of charging the delivery passage is controlled tovery good effect. It proves to be advantageous here, moreover, if, inthe region of the transverse window, a ramp is provided as a feed meansto the delivery passage. Such a downwardly sloping ramp affords a largeinfeed zone into the delivery passage.

It is possible here, for all practical purposes, for the entire cylindercross-section to be usable as loading by the tablet product. Aconfiguration of even independent importance is achieved by atwo-dimensionally curvingly extending restoring spring which isintegrally formed on the lower periphery of the slide. The number ofparts is reduced as a result of the restoring spring being integrallyformed on the slide. Accommodating the restoring spring in the curvedperipheral region of the slide makes it possible to keep the usefulspace, that is to say storage space, at a relatively large volume. Instructural terms, it is then advantageous if the chamber for therestoring spring is bounded in the radially inward direction by an outerwall of a drawn-in portion of the cylindrical housing. An advantageousdevelopmental measure is provided by the base of the drawn-in portionforming the ramp by way of its top. Furthermore, it is advantageous ifthe outer wall of the drawn-in portion grips behind the wall of theslide in the region of the delivery passage. This can be utilized as aguidance support and, in a development, even to the extent where theouter wall forms a counter-latching depression in relation to a latchingnose of the slide. The dispenser, which comprises just two components,is thus held together in a functionally appropriate manner. Since,moreover, the slide is removable from the housing, the dispenser iseasily opened and refilled by disengagement of the latching nose. Thelatching is limited to the plugging movement of the two parts one insidethe other. Finally, it is also proposed that the restoring spring issupported on the bottom of the restoring-spring chamber by means of aprotuberance. The protuberance has a partially stiffening effect there.This has the result that those parts of the said restoring spring whichare remote from the protuberance can be incorporated to a morepronounced extent into the corresponding movement.

The subject matter of the invention is explained in more detailhereinbelow with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the dispenser in perspective view, partly cut away, in abasic position,

FIG. 2 shows the dispenser likewise in diagrammatic representation, tobe precise in the actuating position, but only cut away in the region ofthe delivery passage,

FIG. 3 shows a vertical section through the dispenser in the basicposition,

FIG. 4 shows the section along line IV-IV in FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 shows the slide in perspective individual illustration, orientedin a manner which is appropriate for filling purposes.

The dispenser Sp illustrated comprises just two parts, to be precise ahousing 1 and a slide 2, each provided, in part, with the necessaryfunctional elements of the so-called dispenser mechanism.

The dispenser is a manually actuable stand-up unit for individuallyapportioned delivery of tablets 3.

The tablets 3 are accommodated in a tablet-storage space V in a mannerwhich allows refilling.

The lower termination of the tablet-storage space V is formed by a base4. The latter slopes downwardly, i.e. is inclined in relation to thelongitudinal center axis x-x of the dispenser Sp, which is of basicallyrotationally symmetrical configuration. The base 4 is achieved by adrawn-in portion 5 of the underside of the housing 1. The top of thisdrawn-in portion 5, corresponding to the base 4 described, forms a ramp6 here.

Corresponding to the circular cross-section of the housing 1, thedrawn-in portion 5 is also circular, apart from the region which, at thelowest point of the ramp 6, merges into a vertically directed, axiallyoriented delivery passage 7. There, as can be seen from FIG. 4, aninwardly directed offset is provided on the drawn-in portion 5.

The separating mechanism is provided in the resulting space. The core ofthis separating mechanism is a tablet-separating chamber 8. In thelatter, in each case just one tablet 3 is accommodated on the deliverypath arrow W. The tablets 3 which follow in an ordered manner in thedelivery passage 7 are held back by a separating finger 9 during thedelivery operation.

At the top, the tablet-storage space V is closed off by a top 10. Thelatter is integrally formed on the circularly cross-sectionallyconfigured slide 2. In the basic position of the dispenser Sp, it isspaced apart from the end periphery 1′ of the housing 1, this endperiphery being open in a tubular manner there, by a defined verticalprojection U which corresponds at least to the actuating displacementfor delivery of a tablet 3. In this respect, the exposed region of theguided, basically cup-like slide 2 can be utilized as an actuatingbutton 11 of the dispenser Sp. The displacement direction is indicatedby arrow P. As seen from the outside, the actuating button 11 is curvedslightly convexly with an oppositely directed indent 12 disposed in thevertex. This increases the grip for actuating purposes.

The displacement of the slide 2 in the housing 1 takes place counter tospring force. This is applied by a compression spring which isprestressed to a slight extent. In specific terms, this is realized by atwo-dimensionally curvingly extending restoring spring 14 which isintegrally formed on a lower periphery 13 of the slide 2, this being theset-back lower periphery 13. The lower periphery in the region of themaximum axial length is designated 15 (see, for example, FIG. 5).

The restoring spring 14 is in the form of an O which follows thecross-sectional circular shape of the dispenser Sp. The correspondinglyelliptical configuration can be gathered from FIG. 5. The longer axis ofthe ellipse extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis x-xof the dispenser Sp. An attachment bridge 16 to the set-back periphery13 and a protuberance 17 terminating approximately level with themaximum periphery 15 are located in the shorter axis of the ellipse,this axis thus being oriented parallel in space to the longitudinalcenter axis x-x. This protuberance has a partially stiffening action, sothat the spring movement passes more to the narrower regions ofcurvature of the restoring spring 14. The same also applies, inprinciple, in respect of the even somewhat wider-formed attachmentbridge 16. An extent of the spring or a protuberance position which goesbeyond the periphery 15 can be utilized as spring prestressing.

The restoring spring 14 extends a good third of the way around in thecircumferential direction. Allowance is made to best possible effect forthe spring-deflection clearance F here by virtue of the adjacent regionof the wall of the slide 2 being cut away. The cut-out leads to theset-back lower periphery 13.

The space for accommodating the restoring spring 14 is adapted to thecurved profile of the same. The corresponding restoring-spring chamber18 is achieved by an annular gap between a wall 19 of the cylindricaldrawn-in portion 5 and the corresponding wall 20 of the cylindricalhousing 1. The annular-gap width of the restoring-spring chamber 18 issuch that the restoring spring 14 and the wall of the slide 2 areslideably accommodated therein. There is sufficient play between anouter-wall surface 19′ of the wall 19 of the drawn-in portion 5, thissurface supporting the restoring spring 14 in the radially inwarddirection, and the corresponding inner-wall surface 20′ of the wall 20of the housing 1.

The lower termination of the restoring-spring chamber 18 is formed by anannularly extending bent portion 21 which is achieved as a result of thedrawn-in portion 5. The resulting bottom of the restoring-spring chamber18 is designated 22.

The bottom 22 extends along well over half the annular surface of theturn 21, see FIG. 4. It can be gathered there that the bottom 22 isadjoined by an annular opening 23. This allows, in continuation, for theoffset profile of the slide head 24, which includes the delivery passage7.

The delivery passage 7 here is defined by a spacing y between thecorrespondingly radially inwardly offset wall 25 of the slide 2, whichis cylindrically concentrically curved, and the corresponding inner-wallsurface 20′ of the cylinder-housing wall 20 of the dispenser Sp.

The slide 2 has a cylindrically concentric configuration over its entirelength.

The spacing y relates radially to the longitudinal center axis x-x. Itallows for the extent of a thickness of a tablet 3, including a smallamount of tilting play for the same. The radius is designated R.

The delivery passage 7, which is achieved, in part, by oppositelyexposed integrally formed portions, tapers in a funnel-like manner overthe tablet-separating chamber 8, which is likewise configured by thesaid integrally formed portions. This separating chamber is bounded inthe radial direction by a portion of the said inner-wall surface 20′ ofthe housing 1 and in a circularly-parallel manner by a portion of theouter-wall surface 25′ of the wall 25 of the slide 2, more specificallyof the slide head 24.

In the circumferential direction, flanks 26′ of a strip 26 of thehousing 1, these flanks running approximately transversely to thehousing, provide the closing-off in this respect of thetablet-separating chamber 8 or of the delivery passage 7. In opposition,a strip 27, which is realized on the slide 2, correspondingly formsflanks 27′ there.

As can clearly be gathered from FIG. 1, the strips 26 and 27 continue inslightly upwardly sloping crosspieces 28 and 29, respectively, whichproject away from one another. These follow the course taken by theoffset recess of the slide head 24, this being achieved by the spacingy. Their width corresponds to the tablet thickness. This results,overall, in a preliminary passage 30 which is in the form of part of acircle and lies above the delivery passage 7. Accordingly, provision isalso made here for control of the conditions in which the tablets 3 arefed.

The radial walls leading to the abovedescribed spacing-forming offset ofthe slide 2 or slide head 24 are designated 31. Slots 32 extend in theoutward direction from the radial walls 31, which bound aquarter-circle. These slots extend from the lower free end of the slide2, more precisely the lower periphery 15 of the same, and runapproximately over half the axial length of the cross-sectionallycircular slide 2.

The slide head 24 is thus held to be resiliently deflectable, withinlimits, in the radial direction, which is beneficial for positioning itwith latching action, as is the case practised here, see FIG. 3. There,a latching nose 33 is integrally formed at the lower end of the wall 25of the slide 2. A counter-latching depression 34 extends from theouter-wall surface 19′ of the drawn-in portion 5 of the cylindricalhousing 1.

It can then be gathered from FIG. 4 that the outer-wall surface 19′ ofthe drawn-in portion 5 grips, for all practical purposes with supportingaction, behind the wall 25 of the slide 2 or slide head 24 in the regionof the delivery passage 7, and also in the vicinity thereof. The wall19, moreover, takes a course which is adapted to the illustrated offsetof the slide head 24. The longitudinally oriented offset step in thisrespect is designated by the symbol 35. This configuration, at the sametime, achieves a detent zone which is located in the circumferentialdirection on both sides and relieves the latching means 33/34 of loadingto best possible effect.

The store of tablets 3 is connected to the delivery path arrow W via atransverse window 36. This results in the items which are to bedistributed being connected, in a manner which is appropriate for loosefilling, to the abovementioned preliminary passage 30, and then thedelivery passage 7, the items being there guided individually into thetablet-separating chamber 8. The corresponding mechanism will not beexplained any further here since it is described in detail in EuropeanPatent Specification 0345413, which is mentioned in the introduction. Inthe basic position of the dispenser Sp, the foot 37 of the ramp 6, whichfunctions as a chute, this foot being mentioned above as the lowestpoint, terminates substantially level with the lower periphery 36′ ofthe transverse window 36. With actuation in the direction of the arrowP, the slide 2 is displaced such that the abovedescribed window ledge inthe form of the lower periphery 36′ passes beneath the level of the foot37 by the extent of the actuating displacement. The tablet-separatingchamber 8 thereby moves beneath the plane of the opening 23. It can begathered from FIG. 2 how the separating finger 9 holds the penultimatetablet 3 in the delivery passage 7, more precisely in the separatingchamber 8, against dropping out.

In order to limit the release displacement, the distance of which iscovered by the projection Ü, axially oriented stop means may beprovided, for example utilizing the drawn-in portion 5 as acounter-stop.

Forming the dispenser Sp then, in respect of its basic technical design,such that the delivery mechanism and the restoring spring 14, includingthe plug-in installation means, are adapted to the cylindrical systemprovided has the effect of ordering the items which are to be delivered,in this case disk-shaped tablets 3, to a surprisingly high degree.Ordering of the tablets in a, for all practical purposes, shingle-likemanner, which reduces the polydirectionality of the tablets, alreadytakes place in the region of the tablet-storage space V. The tabletgroup moving via the transverse window 36 engages, with support on thebroad surfaces, against the inner-wall surface 20′ of the wall 20located in a plate-like manner in front. This, in turn, benefits theordered entry into the preliminary passage 30, in which the samedirection is achieved in every case. The delivery passage 7 is suppliedfrom here, the tablets 3 being forced into a vertically ordered row. Ashas been found, empty indexations are thus, for the most part, avoided.Added to this is the advantage that, despite the lateral wall of thehousing 1 being closed, it is possible to observe the dropping action,since it is possible to see the separating chamber 8 with its dischargeopenings 8′ via the lower periphery of the dispenser Sp, as a result ofthe corresponding displacement of the slide.

The dispenser Sp, moreover, is refillable. All that is required for thispurpose is for the latching nose 33, which is accessible for grippingpurposes on the base of the dispenser Sp, to be disengaged. The slide 2can be drawn out of the housing 1. Since it is closed via the top 10, itcan be filled in the manner of or beaker. The housing 1 is then pluggedon in the proper manner with the drawn-in portion 5 directed downward.Once it has been turned over, the dispenser Sp is then ready for furtheruse.

All features disclosed are (in themselves) pertinent to the invention.The disclosure content of the associated/attached priority documents(copy of the prior application) is hereby also included in full in thedisclosure of the application, also for the purpose of incorporatingfeatures of these documents in claims of the present application.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. Dispenser (Sp) for individually apportioned deliveryof tablets (3), the dispenser comprising a cylindrical housing (1), aslide (2) that is displaceable for limited travel, and a tablet-storagespace (V) with a connecting delivery passage (7) corresponding to thetablet thickness; wherein, for the passage, end-side closing-offsurfaces and profiled flanks are formed, in part, on the housing andintegrally formed, in part, on the slide (2); and wherein the deliverypassage (7) is defined by a spacing (y) between an inner wall surface(20′) of a cylinder-housing wall (20) and a cylindrically concentricallycurved wall (25) of the slide (2).
 11. Dispenser according to claim 10,wherein the slide (2) is configured cylindrically concentrically overits entire length, and the delivery passage (7) is formed to follow acylindrically curved transverse window (36).
 12. Dispenser according toclaim 11, wherein in a region of the transverse window (36), a ramp (6)is provided as a feed means to the delivery passage (7).
 13. Dispenseraccording to claim 10, further comprising a curved two-dimensionallyextending restoring spring (14) which is integrally formed on thestepped-back lower periphery (13) of the slide (2).
 14. Dispenseraccording to claim 13, further comprising a chamber (18) for therestoring spring (14), wherein the chamber (18) is bounded in a radiallyinward direction by an outer-wall surface (19′) of a drawn-in portion(5) of the cylindrical housing (1).
 15. Dispenser according to claim 14,wherein in a region of the transverse window (36), a ramp (6) isprovided as a feed means to the delivery passage (7); and wherein a base(4) of the drawn-in portion (5) forms the ramp (6) by way of its top.16. Dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the outer-wall surface(19′) of the drawn-in portion (5) grips behind the wall (25) of theslide (2) in the region of the delivery passage (7).
 17. Dispenseraccording to claim 14, the outer-wall surface (19′) forms acounter-latching depression (34) in relation to a latching nose (33) ofthe slide (2).
 18. Dispenser according to claim 14, wherein therestoring spring (14) is supported on a bottom (22) of therestoring-spring chamber (18) by means of a protuberance (17).